JP2010148028A - Observation instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an observation instrument 10 with good visibility that is capable of observing all directions. <P>SOLUTION: The observation instrument 10 includes: an imaging part 2; an omnidirectional optical system 3A for obtaining light L from a subject 30 in all directions; an optical part 3 having a relay optical system 3B for introducing the light L to the imaging part 2; a cylindrical housing 3C for housing the optical part 3; a display part 8 surrounding the entire perimeter of the outer peripheral surface of the housing 3C; and an image processing part 1B for performing image conversion processing that converts the omnidirectional image taken by the imaging part 2 into a display image to be displayed on the display part 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an observation apparatus capable of observing all directions.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a technique for taking panoramic photographs by connecting a plurality of shooting results in a digital camera is known. As an extension of that technology, users have a desire to recreate all the landscapes that have been shot and viewed over a wider area. There is also a need for users to take a quick overview of the omnidirectional landscape that surrounds them, even if they do not have to shoot.

  JP 2008-3702 discloses a digital camera whose exterior is covered with a flexible LCD.

On the other hand, the applicant discloses an optical system capable of capturing an image of an omnidirectional subject in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-243689.
JP 2008-3702 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-243689

  1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams for explaining an image picked up by an omnidirectional optical system, and FIG. 1A explains a positional relationship between the optical system and an omnidirectional subject. FIG. 1B shows an image taken by the omnidirectional optical system.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the omnidirectional optical system 3P is an omnidirectional, in other words, an optical system with a horizontal angle of view of 360 degrees, and can image all surrounding subjects surrounding the omnidirectional optical system 3P. . FIG. 1A shows a front subject F, a right subject R, a left subject L, and a rear subject B.

  Here, the omnidirectional image captured by the omnidirectional optical system is displayed in a donut shape on the display unit 8P as shown in FIG. In this donut-shaped image, the center of the image corresponds to the upward direction of the optical system 3P. As shown in FIG. 1B, the image of the subject is in a state where the lower part is extended and the upper part is contracted. Such a donut-shaped image may not be highly visible to the user.

  An object of this invention is to provide the observation apparatus with sufficient visibility which can observe all directions.

  An observation apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging unit, an omnidirectional optical system that acquires light from an omnidirectional subject, a relay optical system that guides the light to the imaging unit, and the optical unit includes: Image conversion for converting a cylindrical housing to be stored, a display unit surrounding the entire outer periphery of the housing, and an omnidirectional image captured by the imaging unit into a display image displayed on the display unit And an image processing unit that performs processing.

  The present invention provides an observation device with good visibility capable of observing all directions.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an observation apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state in which the user is using the observation apparatus of the present embodiment.
In FIG. 2, the user 11 observes the display unit 8 on which a distant scene as the subject 30 is displayed while holding the main body 13 of the observation apparatus 10 of the present embodiment. The observation device 10 displays the omnidirectional subject 30 around the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical housing 3C in which the optical unit 3 (see FIG. 4) disposed on the upper side of the observation device 10 is housed. To display. The state of surrounding the entire circumference does not mean a state of completely surrounding without any gap, and there may be a place where the display unit 8 does not exist partially.

  In the observation device 10, the subject image on the display unit 8 matches the subject 30 observed by the user 11 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. Further, in the observation apparatus 10, a small hill image 30 </ b> A <b> 1 that is the subject 30 </ b> A in the line-of-sight direction S <b> 1 of the user 11 is displayed on the front surface of the display unit 8 with respect to the user 11. For this reason, the observation device 10 according to the present embodiment has good visibility for the user 11 while being able to display all directions.

  As will be described later, the user 11 can change the subject displayed on the front surface of the display unit 8 according to the rotation angle by rotating the observation apparatus 10 about the central axis C. For example, when the observation device 10 is rotated 180 degrees, the image of the user 11 and the image of the subject on the back of the user 11 are displayed on the front of the display unit 8 with respect to the user 11.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram for explaining the configuration of the observation apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the omnidirectional optical system of the observation apparatus of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the observation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes an imaging unit 2, an omnidirectional optical system 3 </ b> A that acquires light from an omnidirectional subject 30, and relay optics that guides the light to the imaging unit 2. Image processing for performing image conversion processing for converting an omnidirectional image captured by the imaging unit 2 into an image for display displayed on the display unit 8, an optical unit 3 having a system 3 </ b> B, a display unit 8 that can display the entire circumference. And a processing control unit 1 having an observation position detection unit 1C for detecting the position of the unit 1B and the user 11.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the omnidirectional optical system 3 </ b> A has an axial target free-form surface prism (hereinafter also referred to as “prism”) 25 as a main component. The omnidirectional optical system 3A reflects the light beam L acquired from the incident surface 21 capable of acquiring the light beam L from the entire circumferential direction by the two reflecting surfaces 22 and 23, and passes through the exit surface 24 to the relay optical system 3B. Lead. That is, the prism 25 has an effect of collecting the light beam L from the entire incident surface 21 on the narrow exit surface 24. The relay optical system 3 </ b> B adjusts the magnification in order to form the light beam collected on the exit surface 24 on the imaging unit 2. The relay optical system 3B has a predetermined length (height) for arranging a plurality of lenses having an aberration removing function. The display device 8 is disposed on the outer surface of the cylindrical housing 3C in which the optical unit 3 is housed in the observation apparatus 10, thereby realizing a full-circle display while being small.

  The processing control unit 1 performs not only image processing, but also overall control of the observation apparatus 10 based on signals from the operation determination unit 5 and the like. The display unit 8 is a thin organic EL panel that is wound around the entire circumference of the cylindrical housing 3C. The motion detection unit 7 includes a sensor that detects a rotational motion such as an acceleration sensor or a gyro, for example, and detects the motion of the observation device 10 that is an operation of the user 11 with respect to the observation device 10. Alternatively, the motion detection unit 7 may detect the motion of the observation device 10 based on the change in the image obtained by the imaging unit 2.

  The operation determination unit 5 determines what instructions the various operations performed by the user 11 are, and transmits them to the processing control unit 1. The reset switch 6 is a switch for the user 11 to instruct the image processing unit 1B to perform processing for returning a display screen displayed on the display unit 8 to be described later from a display state obtained by rotational movement to a display state before the rotational movement. The reset switch 6 does not have to be a dedicated switch, and may be a part of the function of the touch panel 8A, for example. The touch panel 8A is provided on the entire surface or a part of the display unit 8, and the user 11 can input an instruction to the processing control unit 1 via the touch panel 8A.

  The image obtained on the imaging unit 2, in other words, the omnidirectional image captured by the imaging unit 2 is a unique donut-shaped image as shown in FIG. The image processing unit 1 </ b> B of the observation apparatus 10 performs image conversion processing for converting an omnidirectional image into a display image displayed on the display unit 8.

  In the image conversion process, the subject 30A observed by the user 11 and the subject image 30A1 of the display image are converted into a state in which the vertical direction and the horizontal direction match. In the observation device 1, a display image is displayed on the display unit 8 in a state where an omnidirectional subject 30 surrounding the observation device 10 is projected from a virtual all-around screen. For this reason, the display unit 8 is small and lightweight that can be disposed on the portable observation device 10, but can display the entire circumference image with high visibility.

  In the case where the vertical angle of view of the optical unit 3 is large, for example, a vertical angle of view of 90 degrees at which an image can be taken right above, image processing is performed so that the upper predetermined range of the captured image is not displayed on the display unit 8. The unit 1B may create a display image.

  FIGS. 5A to 6B are views for explaining the surrounding subject 30 and the display position of the subject on the display unit 8 in the observation apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIGS. 5A and 6A are top views. FIG. 5B and FIG. 6B are development views of the display portion. The development view is a diagram in which a display image displayed on the display unit 8 whose outer shape is cylindrical is displayed on a plane.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the image of the subject 30 on the display unit 8 matches the subject 30 observed by the user 11 in the left-right direction. That is, the subject F in front of the user 11 is displayed in the front display area 8F for the user 11, and the subject R to the right of the user 11 is displayed in the display area 8R on the right side of the user 11. The subject L on the left side of the user 11 is displayed in the right display area 8L with respect to the user 11, and the subject B behind the user 11 is displayed in the right display area 8B with respect to the user 11. ing.

  Note that the image of the subject 30 displayed on the display unit 8 processed by the image processing unit 1B is a natural image without distortion. That is, it is not an image in which the upper part is reduced and the lower part is extended like the omnidirectional image shown in FIG.

  Although the observation device 10 is a rotationally symmetric body, the reference direction, which is the line-of-sight direction S1 of the user 11, is fixed when the user 11 holds the observation device 10 with reference to a marker previously arranged on the observation device 1. . Alternatively, the direction in which the user 11 is present may be used as the reference method by the observation position detection unit 1C detecting the position of the user 11 from the captured image by using a known eyelid detection system or the like. .

  In the state shown in FIG. 5A, the user 11 can only observe the image displayed in the display area 8 </ b> F on the front surface of the display unit 8 well, and the image displayed in the display area 8 </ b> B of the display unit 8. Cannot be observed at all. That is, even if the user 11 rotates the observation device so that the subject to be observed becomes the display region 8F, the subject displayed on the display region 8F in accordance with the rotation of the observation device is the gaze direction S1 from the subject that the user 11 wants to observe. Changes to the subject.

  However, in the observation apparatus 10, the user 11 rotates the observation apparatus 10 about the central axis C, for example, to display an image of the subject F displayed in the display area 8 </ b> B on the display area 8 </ b> F on the front surface of the display unit 8. Can be displayed.

  That is, the observation apparatus 10 includes a motion detection unit 7 that detects the rotation angle of the housing 3C, and the image processing unit 1B focuses the display image around the central axis C based on the detection result of the motion detection unit 7. The image processing is performed to obtain the display state rotated and moved. In other words, the image processing unit 1B performs image processing so as to display an image of a subject having an angle with respect to the line-of-sight direction S1 of the user 11 in the display area 8F on the front surface for the user of the display unit 8.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, when the user 11 rotates the observation apparatus 10 90 degrees clockwise, the motion detection unit 7 detects the rotation of 90 degrees and performs image processing as shown in FIG. 6B. Since the unit 1B performs image conversion processing on the display image so as to be rotated 90 degrees around the central axis C, the image of the subject R is displayed in the display area 8F.

  That is, in the observation device 10, the user 11 can observe the surroundings surrounding him / her by the display unit 8 by rotating the observation device 10.

  When the observation apparatus 10 includes the touch panel 8A, the operation determination unit 5 determines the slide operation of sliding the finger left and right on the touch panel 8A of the user 11 as illustrated in FIG. The image processing unit 1B may perform processing so as to display a desired subject displayed on the front display area 8F. Alternatively, the image processing unit 1B may perform processing so that a desired subject is displayed in the front display area 8F by rotating an operation switch on a ring disposed in the main body unit 13 (not shown).

  As already described, the user 11 cannot observe the image displayed in the display area 8B of the display unit 8 at all. For this reason, the image processing unit 1 </ b> B may perform processing so that no display is performed in a region on the rear surface of the display unit 8 that cannot be observed by the user 11. The observation apparatus 10 that displays only one side of the display unit 8 can reduce power consumption.

  As described above, the observation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment not only converts the omnidirectional image captured by the omnidirectional optical system into a display image with high visibility for the user 11, but also allows the user 11 to intuitively In addition, since various operations can be performed, operability is good.

  Next, FIG. 7 (A) and FIG. 7 (B) are perspective views for explaining the operation of the retractable observation device of the modification of this embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 7B shows the time of use. An observation apparatus 10B according to a modification of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B has a main body 13 that can store a cylindrical housing 3C, and is used from the main body 13 during use. There is sometimes a retracting mechanism in which the display unit 8 protrudes. When the housing 3C is housed in the main body 13, the distance between the prism and the lens shown in FIG. 4 is shortened.

  In the retractable observation apparatus 10B, the display unit 8 can be accommodated in the main body unit 13 when not in use, that is, when being carried, so that the display unit 8 can be protected in addition to being compact. The protruding mechanism may be driven by a motor, or a protruding mechanism using an elastic body such as a spring and a manual storage and holding mechanism may be combined. Note that the observation apparatus 10B shown in FIG. 7 has a ring-shaped operation switch 6B at the bottom of the main body 13.

<Second Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an observation apparatus 50 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Since the observation device 50 according to the present embodiment is similar to the observation device 10 according to the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram for explaining the configuration of the observation apparatus of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, the observation device 50 according to the present embodiment includes a recording unit that records at least one of an omnidirectional image captured by the imaging unit 2 and a display image subjected to image conversion processing by the image processing unit. 4 is provided. In other words, the observation device 50 is a camera that can shoot all directions, using the display unit 8 that can observe all directions as a monitor at the time of shooting.

  Further, the observation apparatus 50 has an orientation sensor 9 for detecting the orientation, for example, an MR sensor or a Hall element for detecting the direction of geomagnetism. The observation device 50 has a clock having a calendar function (not shown), and information such as the shooting date and time, the shooting time, the shutter speed, and the model number of the observation device 50 is added to the recording unit 4 as additional information of the image to be recorded. Record in 4.

  The user 11 displays the subject 30 to be photographed on the display unit 8 by the method described in the observation apparatus 10 of the first embodiment. When the user 11 performs a predetermined operation corresponding to the shutter pressing operation, the observation device 50 records at least one of the omnidirectional image and the display image in the recording unit 4.

  The omnidirectional image or display image recorded in the recording unit 4 of the observation device 50 can be connected to an external playback device and displayed by the display means of the playback device. Further, in the observation apparatus 50, the omnidirectional image or the display image recorded in the recording unit 4 can be displayed on the display unit 8. That is, the observation device 50 can display the captured omnidirectional image with high visibility without using a separate display device or the like.

  The image processing unit 1B of the observation apparatus 50 not only displays the same display image as that at the time of shooting on the display unit 8 in order, but also displays a plurality of images recorded in the recording unit 4 in a so-called thumbnail format. it can.

  9A, 9B, and 9C are explanatory diagrams for explaining thumbnail-format images displayed on the display unit 8 of the observation apparatus 50. FIG. The thumbnail format shown in FIG. 9A shows a case where donut-shaped omnidirectional images are displayed side by side. In the thumbnail format shown in FIG. 9B, a display image with a horizontal angle of view of 180 degrees is displayed. In the thumbnail format shown in FIG. 9C, the reduced images with the reduced vertical direction are arranged in the vertical direction, and the reduced images with the reduced aspect ratio of about 3: 4 are displayed side by side. The case of displaying is shown. Note that image information such as a number, a shooting date, or a shooting time may be displayed next to the thumbnail image or superimposed on the thumbnail image.

  Each thumbnail image is displayed in the display unit 8 as shown in FIG. 9B by the operation of the touch panel 8A, the rotation operation of the observation apparatus 50, or the ring-shaped operation switch 6B as described above. The image processing unit 1B may perform processing so that the area to be moved moves, or may perform processing so as to move like a running horse at a predetermined speed. The user 11 can display an enlarged display, that is, a display image by selecting one of the thumbnail images by operating the touch panel 8A.

  Here, FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of operation of the observation apparatus 50. Hereinafter, the operation flow of the observation apparatus 50 will be described with reference to FIG.

<Step S10> Is the power on?
The observation device 50 is activated when the power is turned on (S10: Yes). In the case of a retractable observation device, the display unit 8 protrudes from the main body unit 13. When the power is turned off (S101: No), the display unit 8 is housed in the main body unit 13 in the case of the retractable observation apparatus.

<Step S11> Shooting mode?
In the observation device 50, the user 11 can select one of a photographing mode, in other words, an observation mode and a reproduction mode for displaying an image recorded in the recording unit 4.

<Step S12> Through image display
When the mode is the shooting mode (S11: Yes), the observation device 50 displays a display image on the display unit 8 in real time by displaying the display image captured by the imaging unit 2 and subjected to the image conversion processing by the image processing unit 1B. I do.

<Steps S13 and S14> Display rotation processing
In the shooting mode, when the observation device 50 is rotated (S13: Yes), the motion detection unit 7 detects the rotation amount, and the image processing unit 1B rotates the display image as described with reference to FIG. State.

<Steps S15 and S16> Reset
The display state rotated in step S14 returns to the original when the reset switch 6 is operated (S15: Yes). That is, in step S16, the display state is such that the image of the front subject F is displayed again in the front display area 8F.

  Note that which region of the display unit 8 corresponds to the front display region 8F can be determined by the observation position detection unit 1C detecting the image of the user 11 from the captured images using a known eyelid detection system. Alternatively, the user 11 may specify using the touch panel 8A.

<Step S17> Shutter operation
When the user 11 performs a predetermined operation corresponding to the shutter pressing operation (S17: Yes), an omnidirectional image is captured. In the observation device 50, at least one of the omnidirectional image and the display image is recorded in the recording unit. The predetermined operation corresponding to the shutter pressing operation may be a pressing operation of a shutter provided in the main body 13 (not shown), a pressing operation of the reset switch 6 in a state where the display position is reset, The motion detection unit 7 may detect an operation in which the user 11 lifts the observation device 50. Here, when the user 11 lifts the observation apparatus 50, the user 11's own image is not photographed, but only the surrounding scenery and the like are photographed.

<Step S18> Self-timer
In the observation device 50, when the user 11 wants to photograph an image in which the user 11 is not photographed, the processing control unit 1 performs a so-called self-timer operation of photographing and recording after a predetermined time has elapsed after a predetermined operation corresponding to a shutter pressing operation. May go.

  Alternatively, a plurality of images may be continuously captured and recorded by a predetermined operation corresponding to one shutter pressing operation, or images may be automatically captured and recorded every time a predetermined time elapses. Good.

<Step S19> Playback mode
In the case of No in step S <b> 11, since the mode is the playback mode, an image that has been shot and recorded in the recording unit 4 is displayed on the display unit 8.

  For example, in the first state of the playback mode, the last image taken is displayed on the display unit 8 as a display image. When the image recorded in the recording unit 4 is an omnidirectional image, the image processing unit 1B performs image conversion processing for converting the omnidirectional image into a display image.

<Steps S20 and S21> Thumbnail display
If the operation of the touch panel 8A or the like by the user 11 is an instruction to display a thumbnail image (S20: Yes), in step S21, the image processing unit 1B displays the display unit 8 on the display unit 8 in FIGS. 9A to 9C. The thumbnail image as shown in is displayed. The thumbnail image may be created in advance and recorded in the recording unit 4 as image additional information, or may be created when displayed.

<Steps S22 and S23> Next image display
When the operation of the touch panel 8A or the like by the user 11 is an instruction to display the next image (S22: Yes), the image processing unit 1B displays the next display image on the display unit 8 in step S22.

<Steps S24 and S25> Thumbnail display rotation processing
When the operation of the touch panel 8A or the like by the user 11 is an instruction to rotate and display the displayed thumbnail image (S24: Yes), in step S25, the image processing unit 1B causes the display unit 8 to rotate the thumbnail image. Process the display state to be

<Steps S26 and S27> Thumbnail image selection
If the operation of the touch panel 8A or the like by the user 11 is an instruction to select a thumbnail image (S26: Yes), the image processing unit 1B displays the original image of the selected thumbnail image on the display unit 8 in step S27.

  As described above, the observation device 50, which is an omnidirectional camera, can not only capture and record omnidirectional images, but also is small and light, and can display captured omnidirectional images with high visibility.

  11A to 11C are explanatory diagrams for explaining the operation of the observation apparatus having the orientation sensor, and FIG. FIG. 11C shows the time of reproduction. As shown in FIG. 11A, the observation device 50 having the orientation sensor 9 can record the additional information of the image for recording the orientation at the time of photographing in the recording unit 4. FIG. 11A illustrates a case where the subject N is in the north direction, the subject S is in the south direction, the subject W is in the west direction, and the subject E is in the east direction. In the observation device 50, for example, the azimuth angle in the reference direction of the captured image is recorded as additional information.

  Then, as shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C, in the observation device 50, when the display image is displayed on the display unit 8, the direction at the place is detected by the direction sensor, and the direction at the time of shooting is displayed. The display image is displayed on the display unit 8 so as to be in the same orientation as the above. In other words, the observation device 50 can display an image based on an image representation such as a mirror that projects all directions on the display unit 8. For this reason, the user 11 can feel a more realistic sensation with respect to the landscape displayed on the display unit 8.

  FIG. 12 is a perspective view for explaining a use state of the observation apparatus 50 using a thin flexible organic EL sheet as a display unit. That is, in the observation apparatus 50, the display unit 8 may be configured by winding a thin flexible organic EL sheet around the housing 3C. In the observation apparatus 50 having the flexible sheet as the display unit 8, one end portion in the horizontal direction of the flexible sheet is fixed to the housing 3C, and electrical connection or the like is ensured only in the fixed portion, and the other end portion in the horizontal direction and the upper and lower sides are fixed. The end can also be configured to be separable from the housing 3C.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the observation apparatus 50 having the above-described configuration, the flexible sheet that is wound and held can be developed so as to open the scroll. Since the display unit 8 of the expanded flexible sheet can be observed from one direction, the user 11 can confirm the subject on the entire circumference at once.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment or modification, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the components, operations, and the like described in the retractable observation apparatus 10B according to the modification of the first embodiment may be used for the observation apparatus 50 according to the second embodiment. Similarly, the components and operations described in the observation apparatus 50 of the second embodiment may be used for the observation apparatus 10 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram for explaining an image picked up by an omnidirectional optical system, and FIG. 1A is a top view for explaining the positional relationship between the optical system and an omnidirectional subject, and FIG. Indicates an image taken by an omnidirectional optical system. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the state in which the user is using the observation apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the observation apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram for demonstrating the omnidirectional optical system of the observation apparatus of 1st Embodiment. FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the surrounding subject and the display position of the subject on the display unit in the observation apparatus of the first embodiment, FIG. 5A is a top view, and FIG. FIG. FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining the surrounding subject and the display position of the subject on the display unit in the observation apparatus of the first embodiment, FIG. 6A is a top view, and FIG. FIG. It is a perspective view for demonstrating operation | movement of the retractable observation apparatus of the modification of 1st Embodiment, FIG. 7 (A) shows the time of carrying and FIG. 7 (B) has shown the time of use. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the observation apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the image of the thumbnail format displayed on the display part of the observation apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of operation | movement of the observation apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the observation apparatus of 2nd Embodiment which has an azimuth | direction sensor, FIG. 11 (A) is at the time of imaging | photography, FIG.11 (B) and FIG.11 (C) are reproduction | regeneration. Shows the time. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the use condition of the observation apparatus of 2nd Embodiment which used the thin flexible organic electroluminescent sheet | seat as the display part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Processing control part 1B ... Image processing part 1C ... Observation position detection part 2 ... Imaging part 3 ... Optical part 3A ... Omnidirectional optical system 3B ... Relay optical system 3C ... Housing | casing 3P ... Omnidirectional optical system 4 ... Recording part 5 Operation determination unit 6 Reset switch 6B Operation switch 7 Motion detection unit 8, 8P Display unit 8A Touch panel 8C Housing 9 Direction sensor 10 Observation device 10B according to the first embodiment First Observation device 11 of modification of embodiment ... User 13 ... Main body 21 ... Incident surface 22 ... Reflection surface 24 ... Ejection surface 25 ... Prism 30 ... Subject 50 ... Observation device of the second embodiment

Claims (11)

An imaging unit;
An optical unit having an omnidirectional optical system that acquires light from an omnidirectional subject, and a relay optical system that guides the light to the imaging unit;
A cylindrical housing in which the optical unit is stored;
A display unit surrounding the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the housing;
An observation apparatus comprising: an image processing unit that performs an image conversion process for converting an omnidirectional image captured by the imaging unit into a display image displayed on the display unit.   The observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image of the subject in the display image matches the subject observed by a user in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.   The observation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an image of the subject in the user's line-of-sight direction is displayed on a front surface of the display unit with respect to the user.   The observation apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an observation position detection unit configured to detect the user's line-of-sight direction. A motion detection unit for detecting a rotation angle of the housing;
The image processing unit performs image processing based on a detection result of the motion detection unit to change the display image to a display state in which the display image is rotated about the central axis of the housing. Or the observation apparatus of Claim 4.   The observation apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a reset switch that inputs an instruction to return the display image in the display state that has been rotated and moved to the display state before the rotation. A main body capable of storing the housing;
7. The retractable observation device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is housed in the main body when not in use and the housing projects from the main body when in use. The observation apparatus described in 1. Comprising a recording unit for recording at least one of the omnidirectional image or the display image;
8. The image processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit performs the image conversion process of converting the omnidirectional image recorded in the recording unit into the display image. 9. The observation apparatus described.   The image processing unit performs image conversion processing for displaying on the display unit a thumbnail image of at least one of the omnidirectional image and the display image recorded in the recording unit. The observation apparatus described in 1. Have an orientation sensor,
Recording at least one of the omnidirectional image and the display image on the recording unit as shooting information with additional information based on the azimuth sensor;
When the display image is displayed on the display unit, the image processing unit is configured to display a display direction of the display image based on the shooting direction information and the direction of the display location based on the direction sensor. The observation apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the observation devices are in a matched state.   The observation device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the display unit is configured by a flexible panel that can be developed from the surface of the housing.

Images